This review evaluates the relationship between gut microbiota composition and obesity, focusing on the mechanisms by which gut microbes influence energy metabolism, the dietary factors that shape microbial communities, and potential therapeutic strategies targeting the microbiome.
Gut microbiota dysbiosis in obesity is characterized by altered Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratios and reduced microbial diversity, contributing to increased energy harvest, low-grade inflammation, and disrupted metabolic signaling; dietary interventions (e.g., high-fiber, Mediterranean-style diets) and targeted therapies (e.g., prebiotics, probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation) show potential for modulating these pathways.
As a narrative review, it cannot establish causality between specific microbial changes and obesity outcomes; most cited intervention studies are small or short-term, limiting generalizability.
Clinicians managing obese patients should consider dietary counseling that promotes microbiome diversity (high fiber, plant-rich diets) as an adjunct to standard care. Emerging microbiome-targeted therapies are promising but remain investigational pending larger clinical trials.
Explore related topics
